Текст книги "Английский с Р. Л. Стивенсоном. Алмаз раджи / R. L. Stevenson. The Rajah’s Diamond"

“Why, sir, as you please,” returned Pendragon (да как вам будет угодно, сэр, – ответил Пендрагон).

The General once more raised his cane (генерал снова поднял свою трость), and made a cut for Charlie’s head (направил выпад в голову Чарли); but the latter, lame foot and all (но тот, /хоть/ и с хромой ногой и вообще), evaded the blow with his umbrella (отразил удар зонтиком), ran in, and immediately closed with his formidable adversary (бросился в бой и немедленно схватился со своим внушительным противником; to run in – заходить на цель; to close with – вступить в бой).

 “In what way am I to construe your attitude, sir?” demanded Vandeleur.

“Why, sir, as you please,” returned Pendragon.

The General once more raised his cane, and made a cut for Charlie’s head; but the latter, lame foot and all, evaded the blow with his umbrella, ran in, and immediately closed with his formidable adversary.

“Run, Harry, run!” he cried; “run, you dolt (беги, Гарри, беги! – крикнул он, – беги, ты, олух)!” Harry stood petrified for a moment (Гарри постоял, оцепенев, секунду; to petrify – обращать в камень), watching the two men sway together in this fierce embrace (глядя, как двое мужчин раскачиваются в этом яростном объятии); then he turned and took to his heels (затем он повернулся и пустился наутек: «взялся за каблуки/пятки»; to take – взять/ся/). When he cast a glance over his shoulder (когда он бросил взгляд через плечо; to cast – бросать) he saw the General prostrate under Charlie’s knee (он увидел, что генерал распростерся под коленом Чарли), but still making desperate efforts to reverse the situation (но все еще делал отчаянные усилия, чтобы повернуть ситуацию); and the Gardens seemed to have filled with people (а парк, кажется, наполнился людьми), who were running from all directions towards the scene of fight (которые бежали со всех концов к месту драки). This spectacle lent the secretary wings (это зрелище= вид этого дал секретарю крылья; to lend – одолжить /дать/); and he did not relax his pace (и он не ослаблял = не замедлял своей скорости) until he had gained the Bayswater road (пока не добрался до Бейзуотер-роуд), and plunged at random into an unfrequented by-street (и нырнул наугад в безлюдный переулок; to frequent – посещать).

 “Run, Harry, run!” he cried; “run, you dolt!” Harry stood petrified for a moment, watching the two men sway together in this fierce embrace; then he turned and took to his heels. When he cast a glance over his shoulder he saw the General prostrate under Charlie’s knee, but still making desperate efforts to reverse the situation; and the Gardens seemed to have filled with people, who were running from all directions towards the scene of fight. This spectacle lent the secretary wings; and he did not relax his pace until he had gained the Bayswater road, and plunged at random into an unfrequented by-street.

To see two gentlemen of his acquaintance (видеть двух знакомых ему джентльменов: «его знакомства») thus brutally mauling each other (столь жестоко колотящих друг друга) was deeply shocking to Harry (было глубоко шокирующим для Гарри). He desired to forget the sight (он желал забыть это зрелище); he desired, above all (он желал, прежде всего: «выше всего/над всем»), to put as great a distance as possible between himself and General Vandeleur (положить как можно бóльшее расстояние между собой и генералом Венделером); and in his eagerness for this he forgot everything about his destination (и в своем стремлении к этому он позабыл все о своей цели = куда направляется), and hurried before him headlong and trembling (и несся сломя голову и дрожа; headlong – головой вперед /о падении вниз, нырянии/; стремительно, безрассудно, неосторожно; неуправляемо; очертя голову). When he remembered that Lady Vandeleur was the wife of one and the sister of the other of these gladiators (когда он вспомнил, что леди Венделер – жена одного и сестра другого из этих забияк), his heart was touched with sympathy (его сердце было тронуто состраданием) for a woman so distressingly misplaced in life (к женщине, которой так не повезло: «столь прискорбно поставленной не на место» в жизни). Even his own situation in the General’s household (даже его собственное положение в доме генерала) looked hardly so pleasing as usual (едва ли выглядело так же приятно, как обычно) in the light of these violent transactions (в свете этих жестоких: «насильственных» дел).

 To see two gentlemen of his acquaintance thus brutally mauling each other was deeply shocking to Harry. He desired to forget the sight; he desired, above all, to put as great a distance as possible between himself and General Vandeleur; and in his eagerness for this he forgot everything about his destination, and hurried before him headlong and trembling. When he remembered that Lady Vandeleur was the wife of one and the sister of the other of these gladiators, his heart was touched with sympathy for a woman so distressingly misplaced in life. Even his own situation in the General’s household looked hardly so pleasing as usual in the light of these violent transactions.

He had walked some little distance (он прошел некоторое расстояние), busied with these meditations (занятый этими размышлениями), before a slight collision with another passenger reminded him of the bandbox on his arm (пока легкое столкновение с другим прохожим не напомнило ему о шляпной картонке у него на руке).

“Heavens!” cried he, “where was my head (силы небесные! – вскричал он, – где была моя голова = о чем я думал)? and whither have I wandered (и куда я зашел)?”

Thereupon he consulted the envelope which Lady Vandeleur had given him (после чего он сверился с конвертом, который леди Венделер дала ему). The address was there (на нем был адрес: «там»), but without a name (но без имени). Harry was simply directed to ask for “the gentleman who expected a parcel from Lady Vandeleur (Гарри было просто указано спросить джентльмена, который ожидает пакет от леди Венделер),” and if he were not at home (а если его не будет дома) to await his return (подождать его возвращения). The gentleman, added the note, should present a receipt (этот джентльмен, добавляла записка, должен представить расписку) in the handwriting of the lady herself (написанную рукой самой леди).

 He had walked some little distance, busied with these meditations, before a slight collision with another passenger reminded him of the bandbox on his arm.

“Heavens!” cried he, “where was my head? and whither have I wandered?”

Thereupon he consulted the envelope which Lady Vandeleur had given him. The address was there, but without a name. Harry was simply directed to ask for “the gentleman who expected a parcel from Lady Vandeleur,” and if he were not at home to await his return. The gentleman, added the note, should present a receipt in the handwriting of the lady herself.

All this seemed mightily mysterious (все это казалось чрезвычайно загадочным), and Harry was above all astonished at the omission of the name (и Гарри был больше всего поражен отсутствием имени /адресата/) and the formality of the receipt (и формальностью расписки). He had thought little of this last (он мало думал об этом /последнем/ = о расписке) when he heard it dropped in conversation (когда услышал это упомянутым в разговоре); but reading it in cold blood (но прочтя это внимательно: «хладнокровно»), and taking it in connection with the other strange particulars (и связав это с другими странными деталями: «взяв это в связи…»), he became convinced that he was engaged in perilous affairs (он проникся убеждением: «стал убежден», что ввязался в рискованное дело; to become – стать). For half a moment he had a doubt of Lady Vandeleur herself (на полсекунды он усомнился в самой леди Венделер: «у него было сомнение»); for he found these obscure proceedings somewhat unworthy of so high a lady (ибо он находил эти таинственные процедуры несколько недостойными такой высокопоставленной дамы), and became more critical when her secrets were preserved against himself (и стал более критически настроен, когда ее тайны хранились от него самого = раз у нее были секреты даже от него). But her empire over his spirit was too complete (но ее власть над его душой была слишком безусловна), he dismissed his suspicions (он отбросил свои подозрения; to dismiss – отпускать; распускать /собрание/; отвергать, выбрасывать из головы, прогонять от себя /о мыслимом объекте, чувстве и т. п./), and blamed himself roundly for having so much as entertained them (и строго выбранил себя за то, что вообще питал их).

 All this seemed mightily mysterious, and Harry was above all astonished at the omission of the name and the formality of the receipt. He had thought little of this last when he heard it dropped in conversation; but reading it in cold blood, and taking it in connection with the other strange particulars, he became convinced that he was engaged in perilous affairs. For half a moment he had a doubt of Lady Vandeleur herself; for he found these obscure proceedings somewhat unworthy of so high a lady, and became more critical when her secrets were preserved against himself. But her empire over his spirit was too complete, he dismissed his suspicions, and blamed himself roundly for having so much as entertained them.

In one thing, however, his duty and interest, his generosity and his terrors, coincided (в одной вещи, однако, его долг и интересы, его благородство и страхи совпадали) – to get rid of the bandbox (избавиться от шляпной картонки) with the greatest possible despatch (с наибольшей возможной поспешностью).

He accosted the first policeman (он обратился к первому же полицейскому) and courteously inquired his way (и вежливо спросил дорогу). It turned out that he was already not far from his destination (оказалось, что он был уже недалеко от своей цели), and a walk of a few minutes brought him to a small house in a lane (и ходьба в несколько минут привела его к маленькому домику в переулке; to bring – приводить, привозить, приносить), freshly painted (свежевыкрашенному), and kept with the most scrupulous attention (и ухоженному: «хранимому с очень тщательным вниманием»; to keep – хранить, держать).

 In one thing, however, his duty and interest, his generosity and his terrors, coincided – to get rid of the bandbox with the greatest possible despatch.

He accosted the first policeman and courteously inquired his way. It turned out that he was already not far from his destination, and a walk of a few minutes brought him to a small house in a lane, freshly painted, and kept with the most scrupulous attention.

The knocker and bell-pull were highly polished (дверной молоток и звонок были тщательно отполированы); flowering pot-herbs garnished the sills of the different windows (цветущие растения в горшках украшали подоконники разных окон); and curtains of some rich material concealed the interior from the eyes of curious passengers (и шторы из какого-то роскошного материала скрывали интерьер от глаз любопытных прохожих). The place had an air of repose and secrecy (у этого жилища была атмосфера покоя и недоступности: «тайны»); and Harry was so far caught with this spirit (и Гарри был настолько сильно захвачен этим духом) that he knocked with more than usual discretion (что он постучал с бóльшей, нежели обычно, осторожностью), and was more than usually careful to remove all impurity from his boots (и был более обычного внимателен, чтобы отряхнуть всю грязь с сапог; impurity – грязь, загрязнение; purity – чистота).

 The knocker and bell-pull were highly polished; flowering pot-herbs garnished the sills of the different windows; and curtains of some rich material concealed the interior from the eyes of curious passengers. The place had an air of repose and secrecy; and Harry was so far caught with this spirit that he knocked with more than usual discretion, and was more than usually careful to remove all impurity from his boots.

A servant-maid of some personal attractions immediately opened the door (горничная, /не лишенная/ некоторой личной привлекательности, немедленно открыла дверь), and seemed to regard the secretary with no unkind eyes (и, казалось, оглядела секретаря не недобрыми глазами).

“This is the parcel from Lady Vandeleur,” said Harry (вот пакет от леди Венделер, – сказал Гарри).

“I know,” replied the maid, with a nod (я знаю, – ответила горничная с кивком = кивнув). “But the gentleman is from home (но господин не дома: «из дома /вышел/»). Will you leave it with me (может быть, вы оставите его со мной = мне)?”

“I cannot,” answered Harry (я не могу, – ответил Гарри). “I am directed not to part with it but upon a certain condition (мне приказано не расставаться с ним без определенных условий), and I must ask you, I am afraid, to let me wait (и я должен попросить вас, боюсь, позволить мне подождать /здесь/).”

 A servant-maid of some personal attractions immediately opened the door, and seemed to regard the secretary with no unkind eyes.

“This is the parcel from Lady Vandeleur,” said Harry.

“I know,” replied the maid, with a nod. “But the gentleman is from home. Will you leave it with me?”

“I cannot,” answered Harry. “I am directed not to part with it but upon a certain condition, and I must ask you, I am afraid, to let me wait.”

“Well,” said she, “I suppose I may let you wait (что ж, – сказала она, – я полагаю, что могу позволить вам подождать). I am lonely enough, I can tell you (я очень одинока = я сейчас одна, уверяю вас: «я могу сказать вам»), and you do not look as though you would eat a girl (и вы не выглядите, как будто захотели бы съесть = обидеть девушку). But be sure and do not ask the gentleman’s name (но смотрите: «будьте уверены» и не спрашивайте имя этого джентльмена), for that I am not to tell you (так как я не должна говорить вам).”

“Do you say so?” cried Harry (вы говорите так = в самом деле? – воскликнул Гарри). “Why, how strange (ох, как странно)! But indeed for some time back I walk among surprises (но, вправду, уже какое-то время я шагаю = живу среди сюрпризов). One question I think I may surely ask without indiscretion (один вопрос, думаю, я могу точно задать без невежливости): Is he the master of this house (хозяин ли он этого дома)?”

“He is a lodger (он квартирант), and not eight days old at that,” returned the maid (и еще меньше восьми дней в таком качестве = совсем недавно, – ответила горничная). “And now a question for a question (а теперь вопрос за вопрос): Do you know lady Vandeleur (вы знаете леди Венделер)?”

“I am her private secretary,” replied Harry with a glow of modest pride (я ее личный секретарь, – ответил Гарри с румянцем скромной гордости = зардевшись; glow – свет, отблеск, зарево /обычно также имеется в виду исходящее тепло/; яркость, блеск /о цвете/; румянец; to glow – рдеть, пылать, быть залитым румянцем /о щеках/).

“She is pretty, is she not?” pursued the servant (она хорошенькая, не правда ли? – продолжала служанка).

“Oh, beautiful!” cried Harry (о, красивая! – вскричал Гарри); “wonderfully lovely (чудесно милая), and not less good and kind (и в неменьшей степени хорошая и добрая)!”

 “Well,” said she, “I suppose I may let you wait. I am lonely enough, I can tell you, and you do not look as though you would eat a girl. But be sure and do not ask the gentleman’s name, for that I am not to tell you.”

“Do you say so?” cried Harry. “Why, how strange! But indeed for some time back I walk among surprises. One question I think I may surely ask without indiscretion: Is he the master of this house?”

“He is a lodger, and not eight days old at that,” returned the maid. “And now a question for a question: Do you know lady Vandeleur?”

“I am her private secretary,” replied Harry with a glow of modest pride.

“She is pretty, is she not?” pursued the servant.

“Oh, beautiful!” cried Harry; “wonderfully lovely, and not less good and kind!”

“You look kind enough yourself,” she retorted (вы и сами выглядите довольно-таки добрым, – возразила она); “and I wager you are worth a dozen Lady Vandeleurs (и я бьюсь об заклад, что вы стóите дюжины /таких, как/ леди Венделер).”

Harry was properly scandalised (Гарри был должным образом возмущен).

“I!” he cried (я! – вскричал он). “I am only a secretary (я лишь секретарь)!”

“Do you mean that for me?” said the girl (это вы говорите мне: «предназначаете для меня»? – сказала девушка). “Because I am only a housemaid, if you please (ведь я лишь горничная, с вашего позволения).” And then, relenting at the sight of Harry’s obvious confusion (и затем, смягчившись при виде очевидного смущения Гарри), “I know you mean nothing of the sort,” she added (я знаю, что вы не имели в виду ничего такого, – добавила она); “and I like your looks (и мне нравится ваша наружность); but I think nothing of your Lady Vandeleur (но я ничего не думаю о = в грош не ставлю вашу леди Венделер). Oh, these mistresses!” she cried (ох уж эти хозяйки! – воскликнула она). “To send out a real gentleman like you (послать настоящего джентльмена вроде вас) – with a bandbox (с шляпной картонкой) – in broad day (среди бела дня)!”

 “You look kind enough yourself,” she retorted; “and I wager you are worth a dozen Lady Vandeleurs.”

Harry was properly scandalised.

“I!” he cried. “I am only a secretary!”

“Do you mean that for me?” said the girl. “Because I am only a housemaid, if you please.” And then, relenting at the sight of Harry’s obvious confusion, “I know you mean nothing of the sort,” she added; “and I like your looks; but I think nothing of your Lady Vandeleur. Oh, these mistresses!” she cried. “To send out a real gentleman like you – with a bandbox – in broad day!”

During this talk they had remained in their original positions (во время этой беседы они оставались на своих изначальных позициях) – she on the doorstep (она на пороге), he on the side-walk (он на тротуаре), bareheaded for the sake of coolness (с непокрытой головой для прохлады), and with the bandbox on his arm (и с шляпной картонкой на руке). But upon this last speech (но при этих последних словах) Harry, who was unable to support such point-blank compliments to his appearance (Гарри, который был неспособен выдержать такие беззастенчивые комплименты своей внешности), nor the encouraging look with which they were accompanied (а также обнадеживающий взгляд, которым они сопровождались), began to change his attitude (начал менять свое положение = топтаться на месте), and glance from left to right in perturbation (и смотреть налево-направо в замешательстве). In so doing he turned his face towards the lower end of the lane (делая так, он повернул лицо к дальнему концу переулка), and there, to his indescribable dismay (и там, к его неописуемому смятению), his eyes encountered those of General Vandeleur (его глаза встретились с /глазами/ генерала Венделера). The General, in a prodigious fluster of heat, hurry, and indignation (генерал, в ужасном возбуждении от жары, спешки и гнева), had been scouring the streets in chase of his brother-in-law (прочесывал улицы в погоне за своим шурином); but so soon as he caught a glimpse of the delinquent secretary (но едва он приметил провинившегося секретаря: «поймал вид…»), his purpose changed (его цель поменялась), his anger flowed into a new channel (его ярость устремилась в новое русло), and he turned on his heel (и он повернулся на каблуках) and came tearing up the lane with truculent gestures and vociferations (и он рванул к Гарри по переулку со свирепыми жестами и криками = свирепо размахивая руками…; up – зд.: вдоль по улице по направлению к чему-то).

 During this talk they had remained in their original positions – she on the doorstep, he on the side-walk, bareheaded for the sake of coolness, and with the bandbox on his arm. But upon this last speech Harry, who was unable to support such point-blank compliments to his appearance, nor the encouraging look with which they were accompanied, began to change his attitude, and glance from left to right in perturbation. In so doing he turned his face towards the lower end of the lane, and there, to his indescribable dismay, his eyes encountered those of General Vandeleur. The General, in a prodigious fluster of heat, hurry, and indignation, had been scouring the streets in chase of his brother-in-law; but so soon as he caught a glimpse of the delinquent secretary, his purpose changed, his anger flowed into a new channel, and he turned on his heel and came tearing up the lane with truculent gestures and vociferations.

Harry made but one bolt of it into the house (Гарри одним прыжком укрылся в доме: «сделал лишь один прыжок из этого в дом»), driving the maid before him (втолкнув горничную перед собой); and the door was slammed in his pursuer’s countenance (и дверь была захлопнута перед лицом преследователя).

“Is there a bar (есть засов)? Will it lock?” asked Harry (она запирается? – спросил Гарри), while a salvo on the knocker (пока ураганный стук дверным молотком) made the house echo from wall to wall (отдавался в доме эхом от стены к стене: «заставлял дом отдаваться эхом…»).

“Why, what is wrong with you?” asked the maid (постойте, что не так = что случилось с вами? – спросила горничная). “Is it this old gentleman (дело в этом пожилом господине)?”

“If he gets hold of me,” whispered Harry (если он поймает меня, – прошептал Гарри; hold – хватка), “I am as good as dead (я буду все равно что мертв). He has been pursuing me all day (он преследует меня весь день), carries a sword-stick (носит трость со шпагой; sword – шпага), and is an Indian military officer (и он офицер, служивший в Индии).”

“These are fine manners,” cried the maid (вот так прекрасные манеры = ну и дела, – вскричала горничная). “And what, if you please, may be his name (а каково, с вашего позволения, его имя)?”

“It is the General, my master,” answered Harry (это генерал, мой хозяин, – ответил Гарри). “He is after this bandbox (ему нужна эта шляпная картонка; after – за).”

“Did not I tell you?” cried the maid in triumph (разве я вам не говорила? – воскликнула горничная с триумфом). “I told you I thought worse than nothing of your Lady Vandeleur (я говорила вам, что и в грош не ставлю вашу леди Венделер: «что я думала хуже, чем ничего, о…») and if you had an eye in your head (и если бы у вас были глаза на месте: «глаз = зрение в голове») you might see what she is for yourself (вы могли бы увидеть, кто она такая, сами). An ungrateful minx (неблагодарная вертихвостка), I will be bound for that (уж поверьте мне/клянусь: «я буду обязана/связана за это»)!”

 Harry made but one bolt of it into the house, driving the maid before him; and the door was slammed in his pursuer’s countenance.

“Is there a bar? Will it lock?” asked Harry, while a salvo on the knocker made the house echo from wall to wall.

“Why, what is wrong with you?” asked the maid. “Is it this old gentleman?”

“If he gets hold of me,” whispered Harry, “I am as good as dead. He has been pursuing me all day, carries a sword-stick, and is an Indian military officer.”

“These are fine manners,” cried the maid. “And what, if you please, may be his name?”

“It is the General, my master,” answered Harry. “He is after this bandbox.”

“Did not I tell you?” cried the maid in triumph. “I told you I thought worse than nothing of your Lady Vandeleur; and if you had an eye in your head you might see what she is for yourself. An ungrateful minx, I will be bound for that!”

The General renewed his attack upon the knocker (генерал возобновил свою атаку на дверной молоток), and his passion growing with delay (и, так как его ярость росла вместе с промедлением), began to kick and beat upon the panels of the door (начал пинать и колотить дверные панели).

“It is lucky,” observed the girl, “that I am alone in the house (удачно, – заметила девушка, – что я одна в доме); your General may hammer until he is weary (ваш генерал может стучать, пока не устанет), and there is none to open for him (и некому открыть ему; none – никого). Follow me (следуйте за мной)!”

So saying she led Harry into the kitchen (сказав так, она провела Гарри на кухню; to lead – вести), where she made him sit down (где она усадила его: «заставила/пригласила сесть»), and stood by him herself in an affectionate attitude (и стала рядом с ним в нежной позе; to stand – стоять), with a hand upon his shoulder (с рукой у него на плече). The din at the door, so far from abating (грохот у двери, далекий от утихания), continued to increase in volume (продолжал возрастать в громкости), and at each blow the unhappy secretary was shaken to the heart (и при каждом ударе несчастный секретарь содрогался до глубины души: «до сердца»; to shake – трясти).

 The General renewed his attack upon the knocker, and his passion growing with delay, began to kick and beat upon the panels of the door.

“It is lucky,” observed the girl, “that I am alone in the house; your General may hammer until he is weary, and there is none to open for him. Follow me!”

So saying she led Harry into the kitchen, where she made him sit down, and stood by him herself in an affectionate attitude, with a hand upon his shoulder. The din at the door, so far from abating, continued to increase in volume, and at each blow the unhappy secretary was shaken to the heart.

“What is your name?” asked the girl (как ваше имя? – спросила девушка).

“Harry Hartley,” he replied (Гарри Хартли, – ответил он).

“Mine,” she went on, “is Prudence (а мое, – продолжила она, – Пруденс). Do you like it (вам оно нравится)?”

“Very much,” said Harry (очень, – сказал Гарри[2]2
  Имя Пруденс означает «благоразумие», «осмотрительность».


[Закрыть]). “But hear for a moment how the General beats upon the door (но послушайте секунду, как генерал колотит по двери). He will certainly break it in (он ее точно выломает), and then, in heaven’s name (и тогда, во имя неба = Господа), what have I to look for but death (чего мне ждать: «искать», кроме смерти)?”

“You put yourself very much about with no occasion,” answered Prudence (вы очень волнуетесь без причины, – ответила Пруденс; to put oneself about – волноваться; occasion – случай, основание). “Let your General knock (пусть ваш генерал стучит), he will do no more than blister his hands (он лишь волдырей себе наставит: «он не сделает больше, чем насадить себе волдырей»). Do you think I would keep you here (вы думаете, я стала бы держать вас здесь) if I were not sure to save you (если бы не хотела непременно спасти вас)? Oh, no, I am a good friend to those that please me (о нет, я хороший друг тем, кто мне нравится)! and we have a back door upon another lane (и у нас есть задняя дверь = черный ход, /выходящий/ на другой переулок). But,” she added, checking him (но, – добавила она, придерживая его), for he had got upon his feet immediately on this welcome news (так как он вскочил на ноги немедленно при этой благоприятной новости), “but I will not show where it is (но я не покажу, где она) unless you kiss me (если вы меня не поцелуете). Will you, Harry (поцелуете, Гарри)?”

“That I will,” he cried, remembering his gallantry (с радостью, – воскликнул он, вспомнив свою галантность), “not for your back door (и не за вашу заднюю дверь), but because you are good and pretty (но потому что вы добрая и хорошенькая).”

And he administered two or three cordial salutes (и он несколько раз нежно поцеловал ее: «произвел… поцелуи»), which were returned to him in kind (которые были ему возвращены таким же образом = она тоже его поцеловала).

 “What is your name?” asked the girl.

“Harry Hartley,” he replied.

“Mine,” she went on, “is Prudence. Do you like it?”

“Very much,” said Harry. “But hear for a moment how the General beats upon the door. He will certainly break it in, and then, in heaven’s name, what have I to look for but death?”

“You put yourself very much about with no occasion,” answered Prudence. “Let your General knock, he will do no more than blister his hands. Do you think I would keep you here if I were not sure to save you? Oh, no, I am a good friend to those that please me! and we have a back door upon another lane. But,” she added, checking him, for he had got upon his feet immediately on this welcome news, “but I will not show where it is unless you kiss me. Will you, Harry?”

“That I will,” he cried, remembering his gallantry, “not for your back door, but because you are good and pretty.”

And he administered two or three cordial salutes, which were returned to him in kind.

Then Prudence led him to the back gate (затем Пруденс отвела его к черному выходу), and put her hand upon the key (и положила руку на ключ = и взялась за ключ).

“Will you come and see me?” she asked (вы придете повидать меня? – спросила она).

“I will indeed,” said Harry (непременно приду, – сказал Гарри). “Do not I owe you my life (разве я не обязан вам жизнью)?”

“And now,” she added, opening the door (а теперь, – прибавила она, открывая дверь), “run as hard as you can (бегите со всех ног: «так усердно, как можете»), for I shall let in the General (так как я впущу генерала).”

Harry scarcely required this advice (Гарри едва ли нуждался в таком совете); fear had him by the forelock (страх держал его за чуб = его подгонял страх); and he addressed himself diligently to flight (и он пустился прилежно в бегство). A few steps (/еще/ несколько шагов), and he believed he would escape from his trials (и он полагал, что избавится от своих испытаний), and return to Lady Vandeleur in honour and safety (и вернется к леди Венделер с почестями и в безопасности).

 Then Prudence led him to the back gate, and put her hand upon the key.

“Will you come and see me?” she asked.

“I will indeed,” said Harry. “Do not I owe you my life?”

“And now,” she added, opening the door, “run as hard as you can, for I shall let in the General.”

Harry scarcely required this advice; fear had him by the forelock; and he addressed himself diligently to flight. A few steps, and he believed he would escape from his trials, and return to Lady Vandeleur in honour and safety.

But these few steps had not been taken before he heard a man’s voice (но эти несколько шагов не были сделаны до того, как он услышал голос мужчины; to hear – слышать) hailing him by name with many execrations (окликающего его по имени со многими проклятиями), and, looking over his shoulder, he beheld Charlie Pendragon (и, посмотрев через плечо, он увидел Чарли Пендрагона; to behold – узреть) waving him with both arms to return (машущего ему обеими руками, чтобы /он/ вернулся). The shock of this new incident was so sudden and profound (потрясение от этого нового события было так внезапно и глубоко), and Harry was already worked into so high a state of nervous tension (а Гарри уже пришел в такое высокое = сильное состояние нервного напряжения), that he could think of nothing better (что он не смог придумать ничего лучше) than to accelerate his pace (как ускорить шаги), and continue running (и продолжать бежать).